Hair Loss Unveiled: Expert Answers to Your Most Pressing Hair Health Questions
Hair Loss: Understanding the Basics
Hair loss is a common concern that affects many people. But how do you know when it’s normal and when it’s a sign of a deeper issue? And if your scalp is itchy, is it just your shampoo or something more serious? To answer these questions, we’ve consulted with a top dermatologist and cosmetologist, Natalia Marchenko.
The Buzz Around Hair Loss
The issue of hair loss gained unexpected attention due to an incident at the Oscars. The host made a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has been shaving her head for several years. However, Jada suffers from alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. This incident sparked a wider conversation about hair health.
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
One of the most common problems is diffuse hair loss, where hair falls out intensely and evenly across the scalp. Other issues include flaking, itching, and less commonly, patchy hair loss.
Hair loss is more common in men due to a type of alopecia called androgenic alopecia. This is caused by an increased sensitivity of the scalp to testosterone, a male sex hormone, which leads to hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss
- Hormonal issues, including high levels of testosterone
- Electrolyte imbalance in the blood, such as a lack of microelements like iron and copper, and certain vitamins like D3
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Severe infections with high fever and intoxication
- Poor nutrition and blood supply to the scalp, which can be affected by vascular spasms or atherosclerosis
- Stress, which can cause vascular spasms
It’s important to note that hair loss due to stress may not appear immediately but can manifest several months later.
A separate issue is postpartum hair loss. This is not considered a pathology but is related to the fact that hair loss stops during pregnancy and resumes after childbirth, shedding the hair that was supposed to fall out during pregnancy.
Itchy Scalp: What to Do?
If you’re experiencing an itchy scalp, it’s best to consult a doctor. The causes can range from inflammation of the hair follicles and folliculitis (an infectious disease of the hair follicles) to seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition related to increased sebum production and quality changes, accompanied by inflammation). A doctor can identify the specific cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Graying Hair: Can You Slow It Down?
Many people wish to preserve their natural hair color for as long as possible. While there are products available in pharmacies and stores that claim to restore pigmentation, the only sure way to return color to gray hair is through dyeing.
There is a condition called vitiligo, where pigmentation is lost in patches of skin and, consequently, in the hair growing from those patches. Pigmentation can be attempted using pharmacological agents and physiotherapy procedures, such as phototherapy, but this should only be done in specialized hospitals. Over-the-counter creams, masks, and balms will not have any effect.
What Hair Care Cosmetics Should You Use?
If you don’t have any scalp issues, such as dandruff or excessive oiliness, a regular shampoo for frequent use is sufficient. It’s recommended to use dermatologically tested products, typically available in pharmacies.
If there are specific issues or complaints, a doctor may prescribe specialized products, also available through pharmacies. These are used in courses and then transitioned into a maintenance system.
Professional hair care products are generally used for hair that has been damaged by cosmetic procedures, such as chemical perms, dyeing, or straightening, which can damage the hair shaft. These products can help restore damaged hair and give it a healthier appearance, but they do not address scalp pathologies.
Additional hair care products, such as masks, mousses, and balms, are used to enhance the aesthetic appearance of hair. In this case, you can follow the advice of your hairstylist.
Do Home Remedies for Hair Loss Work?
Home remedies like nettle decoction, onion peel, and rubbing in egg yolk are forms of local irritant therapy. They can increase blood flow and hair growth. While this can be beneficial, it’s only suitable for a healthy scalp. If the scalp is damaged, using home remedies can cause irritation and other complications.
How to Properly Wash and Dry Your Hair
It’s generally recommended to wash your hair 1-2 times a week with the right cosmetic products.
As for drying, the safest method is natural drying. The most important thing is not to comb wet hair. If you must use hot drying, use masks and balms during washing to protect your hair from high temperatures.
Whenever possible, let your hair dry naturally or use a medium heat setting on your dryer.
Does Nutrition Affect Hair Health?
Hair needs to be nourished with vitamins, especially group B vitamins, which are abundant in whole grain bread, nuts, legumes, offal, and egg yolks. It’s also important to have enough protein in your diet, including animal proteins. Don’t forget about foods rich in iron and copper, such as liver, seaweed, and pumpkin seeds.
It’s a good idea to add synthetic vitamin and mineral complexes to your diet twice a year. There are supplements that contain B vitamins, copper, iron, and zinc, which are specifically designed to support hair health.
For more information on hair health, you can visit the American Academy of Dermatology website.
